African writers have called on governments, continental institutions, universities and the private sector to increase investment in the continent’s book industry, protect intellectual property and establish financial support systems for creative professionals.
The call was contained in the Kigali Resolutions adopted at the Africa Writers Day Celebration 2026, held in Kigali, Rwanda, on November 7.
The resolutions urged African governments to recognise writing, publishing, bookselling and libraries as strategic sectors that should be integrated into national creative industry policies and the development of a knowledge-based economy.
The participants also called for sustainable funding mechanisms, grants, mentorship programmes, training opportunities and awards to support writers, particularly young and emerging authors.
They emphasised the need to strengthen reading and writing cultures across the continent through initiatives such as book clubs, writers’ clubs, competitions, libraries and national campaigns involving families, schools, universities, workplaces and communities.
On the preservation of Africa’s identity and heritage, the writers urged stakeholders to support research, writing and publication of the continent’s history, indigenous knowledge, development experiences and aspirations, including works produced in African languages.
The resolutions further called for stronger copyright protection and collective action against piracy, plagiarism and the unauthorised reproduction or distribution of authors’ works.
To improve the African book market, the participants advocated local book procurement and stronger publishing, printing, bookselling, distribution, translation and cross-border circulation of African publications.
They also called for the expansion of modern school, university, public, community and digital libraries to improve access to books and knowledge across African communities.
Recognising the growing influence of technology, the writers urged stakeholders to support e-books, audiobooks and digital publishing, as well as the responsible use of artificial intelligence, while safeguarding human creativity, originality and authorship.
The resolutions also stressed the importance of stronger continental cooperation among the Pan African Writers Association (PAWA), national writers’ associations, publishers, universities, governments, private-sector institutions and development partners.
As part of efforts to translate the resolutions into concrete outcomes, the participants proposed the establishment of the Kigali Action Framework for Writing, Reading and Publishing 2027–2030, with clearly defined responsibilities, measurable targets and annual progress reviews during Africa Writers Day.
They further called for the establishment of book policies to support the continent’s socioeconomic development and urged the initiation of banking institutions or financial mechanisms dedicated to supporting creative professionals.
In its concluding message, the gathering declared that Africa could not build a strong knowledge-based economy without strong writers, readers, publishers, libraries and a sustainable book industry.
The Kigali Message stressed the need for Africans to read, write, publish, preserve their knowledge and tell their own stories.
The resolutions were signed by Richard Hategekimana, Chairman of the Rwanda Writers Federation and President of the Rwanda Books Industry Association; Dr. Wale Okediran, Secretary-General of the Pan African Writers Association; and Prof. Bill Ndi, President of the Pan African Writers Association.
The document was adopted in Kigali, Rwanda, on November 7, 2026.